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Program Description - Jambo!
The Center for African Studies' main objectives are to improve the education and the current teaching curriculum regarding the subject of Africa. Jambo is an amazing two-week program that helps in these objectives, by introducing a select group of high school students to African culture and to contemporary Africa. You'll be astounded at all of the things you'll learn about Africa at the Summer Institute.
Here are a few of the things you can expect from the program:
- learn an African language (usually Swahili)
- participate in African dances
- learn about African poetry
- listen to and play African music
- perform skits
- meet and learn from UF professors
- participate in discussions about modern Africa
Swahili
Did you know that Jambo means hello in Swahili? The African Language Summer Institute introduces students to the fundamentals of Swahili. Swahili is the most widely spoken African language in eastern and central Africa. Students learn basic structural competence (i.e. pronunciation, vocabulary, and simple sentence structure) by reading, oral exercises, writing, watching videos, singing, storytelling, and listening to music.
By the end of the program, students are able to do the following:
- make and respond to basic greetings and introductions
- use a few basic everyday words and expressions
- identify and list words in context
- give and respond to basic commands
- use numbers and ask or describe quantities
- ask for and tell the time
- listen to, read and comprehend simple phrases and sentences
The University of Florida Experience
The African Language Summer Institute is held on the campus of the University of Florida located in Gainesville, FL. The institute is part of the Center for African Studies at UF. The Center directs, develops and coordinates interdisciplinary instruction, research and outreach on Africa. By attending the African Language Summer Institute, high school students will be able to get a feel for college life by interacting with professors and the campus.
To view a map of the campus, click here.
